The BSE benchmark Sensex today fell by almost 75 points in opening trade due to increased selling by participants ahead of September WPI inflation data and second quarter earnings by Reliance Industries.

The 30-share index, which had lost 129.57 points in the previous session, fell by 74.52 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 18,600.66, led by stocks of auto and banking sectors.

Brokers said participants adopted a cautious approach and trimmed their positions ahead of wholesale inflation data for September, to be released later in the day and Q2 earnings by Reliance Industries, which has significant influence over 30-share Sensex.

A weak trend in the Asian region also had its impact on the trading sentiments, they added.

Meanwhile, in Asian region, Japan's Nikkei was down by 0.03 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 0.23 per cent in opening trade today.

U.S. stocks wrapped up their worst week in four months, led lower on Friday by financial shares as results from Wells Fargo and JPMorgan ignited concerns about shrinking profit margins for big lenders.

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